Poland has announced they do not intend to play their World Cup play-off match next month against Russia following the latter's invasion of Ukraine.
UEFA took one match away from Russia following the invasion but stopped short of kicking them out of qualifying for the World Cup.
Russia is in Path B of the European play-offs alongside Sweden, the Czech Republic and Poland. The Pool B World Cup European Playoffs is scheduled to take place on March 24.
Through an announcement by Polish FA president, Cezary Kulesza tweeted his side no longer plan to take part in the match against Russia.
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Russia was set to play Poland as Sweden face off with the Czech Republic with the winners from each side to play a decider match on who will head to the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
“No more words, time to act! Due to the escalation of the aggression of the Russian Federation towards Ukraine, the Polish national team does not intend to play the play-off match against Russia.
“This is the only right decision. We are in talks with the Swedish and Czech Republic federations to present a common position to FIFA,” the Polish FA president stated.
In response to Kulesza’s statement, Polish striker Robert Lewandoski noted that the move was the right decision.
“I cannot imagine playing a match with the Russian National Team in a situation when armed aggression in Ukraine continues,” Lewandoski noted.
This comes as the three football federations of Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic released a joint statement requesting clarity over the situation in Ukraine.
“Based on the current alarming development in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, including the security situation the Football Associations of Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic express their firm position that the playoff matches to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, scheduled for 24 and 29 March 2002, should not be played in the territory of the Russian Federation.
“The signatories to this appeal do not consider travelling to Russia and playing football matches there.
“The military escalation that we are observing entails serious consequences and considerably lower safety for our national football teams and official delegations.
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